For years, Apple devices have enjoyed a reputation for being largely impervious to cyber threats, a perception rooted in the closed architecture of macOS and iOS operating systems, coupled with Apple’s unwavering commitment to security. Incidents involving iPhones, iPads, and other Apple products were relatively rare. However, this narrative is shifting.
Recent findings from cybersecurity firm Black Fog indicate a troubling rise in ransomware attacks targeting macOS devices, challenging the long-held belief in their invulnerability. This trend is driven by several factors: the growing popularity of Apple devices among both consumers and enterprises, the evolution of ransomware tactics, and the emergence of cross-platform threats. Black Fog’s March report underscores this shift, stating, “As the popularity of macOS and iOS continues to rise, so does the incentive for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities in Apple’s software and hardware.” The report highlights ransomware attacks like EvilQuest and MacRansom as early indicators of a more extensive threat landscape, with new cyberthreats such as NotLockBit and FrigidStealer further proving that even the latest Apple devices are not immune to sophisticated attacks. Despite Apple’s efforts to bolster security features and issue patches, the reality remains that no system is entirely invulnerable.
Adding Apple Devices to the List
In response to these emerging threats, Arms Cyber, a five-year-old cybersecurity firm, is expanding its offerings to include support for macOS. This move positions Arms Cyber as the first security company to provide comprehensive ransomware protection across all three major operating systems: Windows, Linux, and now macOS. Traditionally, anti-ransomware solutions have concentrated on Windows due to its widespread use, while Linux tools primarily focused on detection. Until now, macOS users have had limited protection options. Arms Cyber aims to change that by equipping macOS with the same robust defenses that Windows and Linux users have enjoyed, including features designed to preempt ransomware attacks and effectively block and report them.
The firm’s innovative approach includes detecting and mitigating encryption activity through techniques like real-time file entropy analysis, which identifies abnormal patterns, and its Steal Archival technology, which allows for rapid recovery by storing encrypted backups in secure, hidden locations inaccessible to attackers. Recently, Arms Cyber also unveiled its Automated Moving Target Defense (AMTD) solution, which employs diversion and deception tactics to complicate the efforts of threat actors attempting to launch ransomware attacks. These advanced capabilities are now available to users of Apple devices.
Growing Apple OS Use
As Apple continues to gain market share in the enterprise sector—particularly within healthcare, finance, and education—Mac devices are increasingly prevalent in environments that handle critical data, traditionally dominated by Windows and Linux. Arms Cyber’s CTO, Bradley Potteiger, noted that attackers are motivated by the potential for high returns on their investments. He explained, “Due to commercial anti-ransomware and security solutions being limited on Mac, combined with the rise in popular use of these devices globally, attackers are realizing there is an early-entry advantage to launch ransomware attacks with little evasive investment.”
More Protection Needed
Historically, macOS users have relied on a principle of security through obscurity, with Apple maintaining a more private codebase compared to Windows. However, the increasing frequency of attacks has prompted a reevaluation of this strategy, highlighting the need for the same rigorous protections that Windows and Linux systems have long implemented. Potteiger remarked, “Apple has for a long time locked down third-party access to the low-level components of the operating system, leading to a layer of protection through obfuscation but a lack of advanced protections from the community against sophisticated threat actors.”
Arming the MSSPs
The introduction of macOS anti-ransomware protections also equips Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) with a valuable tool for clients utilizing Apple devices in their IT environments. Potteiger emphasized the critical role MSSPs play in the ongoing battle against ransomware, stating, “MSSPs are oftentimes on the front lines, strengthening defenses before an attack and leading response efforts in high-pressure situations.” He likened MSSPs to “the primary care doctors of cybersecurity,” capable of driving the adoption of best practices that enhance security and resilience on a broader scale.
‘Eradicating This Problem’
The rollout of anti-ransomware protections for Apple devices arrives at a crucial juncture, as attackers increasingly target less-protected devices, viewing them as gateways to expand their attack surfaces. Potteiger concluded, “By expanding our breadth to provide comprehensive ransomware protection across the most widely used platforms, we are one step closer to eradicating this problem for good.”
